I think I may have already related this story elsewhere on the forum but I felt that it would fit in this topic. However many years ago when I was a Police Officer with the Dothan Airport Police, this one particular day as I was walking through the terminal and it was filled with people either waiting to leave on flights or for others to arrive.

Anyway as I was walking I saw two young girls on the floor playing with each other. So I stopped and knelt down beside them and started talking to them. Of course they became wide-eyed and asked many questions and they seemed to enjoy our short little conversation. Several minutes later one of the girls Mother came over to me and said, "Thank you, my daughter has always been afraid of Policemen but you showed her that you are her friend.". I don't really remember what my response was to the Mother but I'm sure I assured her that it was no problem. After awhile though I did wonder what made her daughter afraid of the Police. Did the Mother and/or Father give their daughter the reason? Was it something she saw on TV or the movies? Did her Parents ever tell her that the Policemen were there to help her?

Is this what or how Parents today are teaching their children? Or could it be that these days when you see so much bad publicity about COPS doing bad things and these kids having instant access to this type of news, are they really supposed to trust those who are supposed to protect and serve them?

It is up to each and every individual Law Enforcement Officer out there to strive each and every day to reach these young people and show them that you really are their friend and that you will serve and protect them even it is as simple as just what I did in the airport terminal that day many years ago.

"Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself." - Eleanor Roosevelt

Is this what or how Parents today are teaching their children? Or could it be that these days when you see so much bad publicity about COPS doing bad things and these kids having instant access to this type of news, are they really supposed to trust those who are supposed to protect and serve them?

It is up to each and every individual Law Enforcement Officer out there to strive each and every day to reach these young people and show them that you really are their friend and that you will serve and protect them even it is as simple as just what I did in the airport terminal that day many years ago.

True but i firmly feel that all things learned about behavore is ultamalty up to the Parents.

When a parent (it's usually the mothers that pull this) can't control their kid and they tell the kid in earshot of us, "If you don't behave the policeman will take you away". That drives me absolutely insane and things like this stay embedded in children's minds. Most kid's fears of police don't just magically appear and I truly believe it is because of foolish comments like this that kids grow to fear us.

My normal response- Walk right up to the kid and tell them, "No, No, No- we won't take you away and if you are good and stop crying now Mommy will give you $20.00 and take you out for pizza and ice cream tonight. That usually is the last time a parent will make that kind of statement to their child.

Police work- the greatest show on earth and my team always wins!!!
Tulips and Trolls- one in the same but without them what fun would I have?

When I was stationed in Germany I was walking through the Post Office and was standing in line (on-duty) to pick up a package that was delivered to me. Of course I was armed and was standing with next to a woman and her small son probably 4 or 5 years old. The little boy had a toy gun and was trying to show it to me. He reached up to touch my holster and before I could tell him that my gun wasn't a toy, he mother grabs his hand and says, "Don't touch he is gun or he will shoot you." I didn't have a child then, but I do now. And I don't think I would tell my son that a policeman would shoot him for touching his gun. I think it would be more beneficial to the child to try and explain it another way. So my question now is would that single phrase make that child scared of policemen? I think it is possible...

To get back to the topic, a lot of adults are "afraid" of Police, too. Could it be because the Police in other countries sometimes is very corrupt ?

I don't think so. Typically it's a learned behavior, brought about by fear-mongers and people looking to blame their problems on "the man".

"Well...if the man aint been keeping me down, I wouldnta sold no drugs man. I'da like, been a business man or sumpin'"

You have the quotes wrong, I didn't say what was attributed to me in this post. What you are saying is in agreement with me; it's a learned behavior. It's a learned behavior, because it's not an inate behavior or instinct.

To get back to the topic, a lot of adults are "afraid" of Police, too. Could it be because the Police in other countries sometimes is very corrupt ?

I don't think so. Typically it's a learned behavior, brought about by fear-mongers and people looking to blame their problems on "the man".

"Well...if the man aint been keeping me down, I wouldnta sold no drugs man. I'da like, been a business man or sumpin'"

You have the quotes wrong, I didn't say what was attributed to me in this post. What you are saying is in agreement with me; it's a learned behavior. It's a learned behavior, because it's not an inate behavior or instinct.

Yeah, I just noticed that. For some reason it put the quote under your name, instead of the person I quoted.

Let's try this again.

Red blooded right wing Christian, anti-hippie nutjob. Any questions?

An unarmed man is a subject, not a citizen. Protect your rights, carry a gun responsibly.

Many times children see us when we are arresting a family memeber and they do not understand why. They also see us in many neighborhoods arresting others who they know, this is the only Police expirence they get, because of the areas, Police must spend more time doing enforcement, rather than Community Policing.

What has always annoyed me was the parent, who would say to their child; "Keep acting that way and I have that Policeman take you away." This type of education as to what the Police do is so negative and destructive to that childs well being. Until situations change we will always be looked upon as an agency that causes grief, unlike the Fire Departments who are always there to help.

PL Mentoring Team Member
Honor The Fallen, Strive never to have your name put on the wall
"Fear is an instinct. Courage is a choice."
Rear Admiral Joseph Kernan USN

I get very frustrated when I hear people saying that, and I have to say, I've had just as many Fathers say it as Mothers, when I've been helping the PD with Community events. The sad thing is the community event is usually where we are fingerprinting kids.So in one breath the parent is telling them the Police are there to help them and in the next breath, they are telling them to be afraid of the Police. I always speak up and say the Officer will NOT arrest them for being bad. I look the child right in the eye and say that Officer is there to help you and you should not be afraid to go to him or her if you need help. I then look the parent in the eye and saydon't scare them from going to a Police Officer. Think about this we're fingerprinting them in case God forbid something happens. Don't you want the child to run to the Police instead of away if they are in a tough situation? Most acknowledge I'm right. I just hope those who don't say anything think about it and stop, but I know there will be some who keep on saying it.

I generally chastise parents who do this in front of me. I hate it when the parents say,"Behave or he's going to arrest you and take you away." I immediately tell the kids that I wont and that I only take away bad parents who scare their kids. Then I give them some kind of Trooper souvenir I keep in my SP (patrol car). Then I generally pull the parents aside and that's when the real counseling begins.

kids are usuallly only scared of officers because the officers have taken one or both of their parents away in the back of the car before. they view us as the bad guys. what they dont understand is that mommy and daddy are drug users or thiefs or just general kull that actually put themselves behind bars and that we as officers are just giving them a ride!

no doubt there is nothing more worse than the parents who look at their kids when we are in uniform and tell them behave or he is going to take you away. that should be a charge of filing a false report on the parent and they should be taken away so they can explain to the judge why they are telling their kids this garbage!

kids are usuallly only scared of officers because the officers have taken one or both of their parents away in the back of the car before. they view us as the bad guys. what they dont understand is that mommy and daddy are drug users or thiefs or just general kull that actually put themselves behind bars and that we as officers are just giving them a ride!

no doubt there is nothing more worse than the parents who look at their kids when we are in uniform and tell them behave or he is going to take you away. that should be a charge of filing a false report on the parent and they should be taken away so they can explain to the judge why they are telling their kids this garbage!

We try to minimize that effect or re-direct their attention. We usually keep toys for the kids and we call in grandparents or other relatives to draw the childrens attention so it's not quite as traumatic.

When a parent (it's usually the mothers that pull this) can't control their kid and they tell the kid in earshot of us, "If you don't behave the policeman will take you away". That drives me absolutely insane and things like this stay embedded in children's minds. Most kid's fears of police don't just magically appear and I truly believe it is because of foolish comments like this that kids grow to fear us.

My normal response- Walk right up to the kid and tell them, "No, No, No- we won't take you away and if you are good and stop crying now Mommy will give you $20.00 and take you out for pizza and ice cream tonight. That usually is the last time a parent will make that kind of statement to their child.

Cant tell you how many times this exact scenario has happened to me. I liked your response! I would normally contradict the parent right there and ask the child if he saw any bad guys around - when they would say no, I would tell them that was why I was there to keep them and thier parents safe, and only the bad guys had to be afraid of going to jail (then provided the timing was right, I would discreetly approach the parent and ask them if their child was lost who would they want them to go find - they always say a policeman - and I would just look at them, smile and say - now do you think its wise to make them scared of us? 9 times out of 10, they would appologize to me and look rather sheepish - Dont tell me your sorry ma'am, tell your child! Actually really pissed off one mother who ran and told the father what I said and how I was interfering; Dad came over to me and shook my hand.......

When a father or mother drags a kid to a police man and says "You see this Trooper, he is going to lock you up if you don't mind!" I wonder why after that?

I'm glad my parents never did that they always went with the "I will woop your @$$ so bad you wont be able to sit down for a week"

Now as a kid you kinda think that aint possible but i wasnt really willing to test that theory.

My mom and dad could throw a good beaten on this boy when I was younger. I needed more, they only knew the half of it.

Because of my brother catching all of the beatings i learned how to be sneaky so i got away with alot of it. My brother was such a trouble maker too. i remember he got so out of control we had to call the cops and the one who came we knew him cause me and my brother were friends with his son. My brother tried to challenge this guy (6' 5" looked about 250-280 built like a brick wall and my brother was a 16 year old skinny kid). Needless to say it was funny to see him slam my brother to the ground like he was a paper weight.

Broken By Faith Renewed By Sacrifice
infractus per fides resumo per vitualamen

When a parent (it's usually the mothers that pull this) can't control their kid and they tell the kid in earshot of us, "If you don't behave the policeman will take you away". That drives me absolutely insane and things like this stay embedded in children's minds. Most kid's fears of police don't just magically appear and I truly believe it is because of foolish comments like this that kids grow to fear us.

My normal response- Walk right up to the kid and tell them, "No, No, No- we won't take you away and if you are good and stop crying now Mommy will give you $20.00 and take you out for pizza and ice cream tonight. That usually is the last time a parent will make that kind of statement to their child.

Ditto on this. I can't stand to hear this when I'm in a store.

"Let us endeavor so to live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry." - Mark Twain

When a parent (it's usually the mothers that pull this) can't control their kid and they tell the kid in earshot of us, "If you don't behave the policeman will take you away". That drives me absolutely insane and things like this stay embedded in children's minds. Most kid's fears of police don't just magically appear and I truly believe it is because of foolish comments like this that kids grow to fear us.

My normal response- Walk right up to the kid and tell them, "No, No, No- we won't take you away and if you are good and stop crying now Mommy will give you $20.00 and take you out for pizza and ice cream tonight. That usually is the last time a parent will make that kind of statement to their child.

Ditto on this. I can't stand to hear this when I'm in a store.

DANG....twenty dollars....times have sure changed....I might could get by with using 5 dollars....where I'm from if I used 20 dollars and the kid light sup with joy and amazement....well....i'd have a fight on my hands and the parents would wind up DAZED and TASED............

When a parent (it's usually the mothers that pull this) can't control their kid and they tell the kid in earshot of us, "If you don't behave the policeman will take you away". That drives me absolutely insane and things like this stay embedded in children's minds. Most kid's fears of police don't just magically appear and I truly believe it is because of foolish comments like this that kids grow to fear us.

My normal response- Walk right up to the kid and tell them, "No, No, No- we won't take you away and if you are good and stop crying now Mommy will give you $20.00 and take you out for pizza and ice cream tonight. That usually is the last time a parent will make that kind of statement to their child.

Ditto on this. I can't stand to hear this when I'm in a store.

DANG....twenty dollars....times have sure changed....I might could get by with using 5 dollars....where I'm from if I used 20 dollars and the kid light sup with joy and amazement....well....i'd have a fight on my hands and the parents would wind up DAZED and TASED............

ROTFLMAO!!! That is great Klamm

Broken By Faith Renewed By Sacrifice
infractus per fides resumo per vitualamen

When a parent (it's usually the mothers that pull this) can't control their kid and they tell the kid in earshot of us, "If you don't behave the policeman will take you away". That drives me absolutely insane and things like this stay embedded in children's minds. Most kid's fears of police don't just magically appear and I truly believe it is because of foolish comments like this that kids grow to fear us.

My normal response- Walk right up to the kid and tell them, "No, No, No- we won't take you away and if you are good and stop crying now Mommy will give you $20.00 and take you out for pizza and ice cream tonight. That usually is the last time a parent will make that kind of statement to their child.

That's a very good response... Sure they'ill watch the next time what to tell their kids.

I've got a 3 year old daugther and she loves Officers, could be because she is used to see them at home, her parents and fellow officers who come home almost everyday.

I'm sure that if she has any problems she would seek for an Officer, it's the way we are educating her.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. " Matthew 5:9

I'm sure that if she has any problems she would seek for an Officer, it's the way we are educating her.

That's exactly right, the way the kids are educated about us is the problem and it always leads back to the parents/guardians. If more parents just thought for one minute before making the comment about us taking them away they would realize what they are doing. I believe most of them don't mean any harm and are just looking for a way to put their child in check but it royally pisses me of whenever I hear it. Besides my usual promise of money, pizza and ice cream to the kids I usually pull the parent aside and they get a tongue lashing for it. Most of them apoligize for it and the ones who get pissed about, well I couldn't give 2 sh*ts if they are pissed or not because they are the morons who threaten the kids with us taking them away.

Police work- the greatest show on earth and my team always wins!!!
Tulips and Trolls- one in the same but without them what fun would I have?

When I worked at Eastland, I had a 4 year old jump behind his mother, in tears, yelling, "MaMa MaMa he ain't gonna beat me up is he???" That ripped my heart out and I wasn't even married yet, let alone a father. When I was a kid, I WORSHIP Police Officers. Today, he who wears the blue is the enemy.

FORMERLY KNOWN AS wgipson1073.
Proud Member of the Michigan Snowmobile Association and the Seney Snowmobile Association. "Keep the track side down." (If you have to ask, you wouldn't understand.

Does this happen to you? In uniform in public some POS parent says to their kid "you better behaive or I'm going to have that policeman take you to jail." This pisses me off to no end And I take the oppertunity to educate the parrent or make them feel like a DA however you want to look at it. A kid should never know exactly what we do other than we help people When they get older they should understand a bit more and understand crime and punishment but as a small child they need to know they can come to us for help and not to just take them away.

Does this happen to you? In uniform in public some POS parent says to their kid "you better behaive or I'm going to have that policeman take you to jail." This pisses me off to no end And I take the oppertunity to educate the parrent or make them feel like a DA however you want to look at it. A kid should never know exactly what we do other than we help people When they get older they should understand a bit more and understand crime and punishment but as a small child they need to know they can come to us for help and not to just take them away.

Has happened to me several times and I will try to embarass the parents! They're idiots..period. That's what makes kids afraid of us.. I didn't have that problem. I grew up around the sheriff and chief deputy of Washington County. Glad my parents had a good understanding of law enforcement or I might have had a bad misunderstanding of leo's too!